EFCC Re-Arraigns Lawyer Over Alleged N91m Land Fraud in Enugu

Our Reporter 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has re-arraigned a legal practitioner, Barrister Mike Ikegbunam, before the Federal High Court sitting in Independence Layout, Enugu, over an alleged N91 million land fraud.

Ikegbunam was re-arraigned by the Enugu Zonal Directorate of the EFCC before Justice M. T. Segun-Bello on a seven-count charge bordering on money laundering and obtaining by false pretence.

The defendant had earlier been arraigned on January 31, 2024, before Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the same court, who has since been transferred.

He had pleaded not guilty at the time and was granted bail on self-recognizance, with a condition to deposit his Call to Bar Certificate with the court.

According to the EFCC, one of the charges alleges that Ikegbunam, on August 16, 2022, in Umuagu Ozu Village, Anambra State, fraudulently obtained N25 million from the Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions of Nigeria (SSAUTHRIAI). 

He allegedly claimed he could secure parcels of land for the association’s members in Umuagu Ndiukwuanu Town, Orumba North Local Government Area—an assertion the prosecution said he knew to be false.

In another count, the EFCC accused him of similarly obtaining N20 million from the same association on October 26, 2022, under the same pretence.

When the charges were read during the re-arraignment, Ikegbunam again pleaded not guilty.

Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Assistant Commander of the EFCC (ACE II) Mainforce Adaka Ekwu, requested a trial date to enable the prosecution to present its case.

However, defence counsel, S. E. Nnonyelu, urged the court to allow the defendant to continue enjoying the bail earlier granted by the previous judge.

Justice Segun-Bello granted the request and adjourned the matter to October 21 and 22, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

The EFCC disclosed that Ikegbunam was arrested on July 12, 2023, following a petition by SSAUTHRIAI, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi branch. 

The association alleged that its members paid him N91 million for the purchase of 130 plots of land in Umuagu, Ozu Ndiukwuanu Town.

Investigations by the Commission revealed that the defendant had refunded N10 million to the association. It further alleged that he used N16.5 million, suspected to be part of the proceeds, to acquire three plots of land at Dubai Estate, Phase 2, Awka, Anambra State.

The case is expected to proceed to trial in October.